Wetlands

The Governments of Canada and the United States are pleased to release the 2019 State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report, which provides an overview of the status and trends of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Overall, Great Lakes water quality is assessed as “fair and unchanging.” While progress to restore and protect the Great Lakes has occurred, including the reduction of toxic chemicals, challenges cited in the report include invasive species and excess nutrients that contribute to toxic and nuisance algae. 

Welcome to the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands online explorer, provided by Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI). Through a binational collaborative project between Canada and the United States, the team has been working to better measure and map coastal wetland features and hydrologic changes through time at fine resolution. Several remote sensing derived products have been developed for monitoring wetland type, extent and inundation of Great Lakes coastal wetlands.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) assist in the building of programs to protect, manage and restore wetlands. WPDGs provide eligible applicants an opportunity to conduct projects that promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of water pollution.

The Great Lakes Coastal Program provides funding and technical assistance to partners for conservation and restoration of priority coastal fish and wildlife habitats, including wetlands, shorelines, uplands, rivers, and streams. Projects should fit into one of the following categories:

Habitat Restoration: Projects that support on-the-ground protection, enhancement or restoration of wetland and upland habitat used by focal species. Education and outreach components of these projects may also be supported.

The mission of Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) is to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife, and habitat in the Great Lakes basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. Administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the program receives funding and other support from ArcelorMittal, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in Canada, the United States, and Mexico that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats. In Mexico, projects may also include technical training, environmental education and outreach, organizational infrastructure development, and sustainable-use studies.

The Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.

The Small Grants Program funds projects that are too small to be competitive for the Standard Grants Program.

Coastal wetlands are valued, in part, because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through industries such as commercial fishing and tourism. The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program provides States with financial assistance to protect and restore these valuable resources. Projects can include:

The Minnesota DNR's Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program funds activities related to the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Funding for these grants is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

The Michigan Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program provides grant funds to coastal communities and partners to assist in the development of vibrant and resilient coastal communities through the protection and restoration of sensitive coastal resources and biologically diverse ecosystems.

The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) funds research projects related to the use, development, and conservation of Lake Michigan coastal resources in Illinois and Indiana.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funds projects to protect, restore, and enhance Great Lakes fish and wildlife habitat under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act.